Robert webb morgan



(N9 Model.)

B. W. MORGAN.

RUBBER SLEEVE FOR TENNIS BASKETS.

Patented Mar. 12, 1889.

WITNESSES.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT VEBI-l MORGAN, OF NElV YORK, N. Y.

RUBBER SLEEVE FOR TENNIS-RACKETS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 399,340, dated March12, 1889.

Application filed May 4, 1888. Serial No. 272,831. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT WEBB Mon- GAN, a citizen of the UnitedStates, and a resident of New York, in the county of New York and Stateof New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inRuhberx I have illustrated the invention in the accompanying drawings,in which Figure 1 is a face view of: a racket with my invention appliedto the handle thereof. Fi 2 is an enlarged view of the sleeve. Fig. 2-is a central vertical longitudinal section of the same. Fig. 4. is anend view of the sleeve,

and Fig. 5 is a vertical section on the line E The sectional view inFig. 3 is E of Fig. 9. taken on the dotted line F F of Figs. 4 and 5.

In the drawings, A designates the handle of the racket, and B thesleeve, of rubber or other flexible substance, which is applied upon theshank end of the handle. The sleeve B is extended laterally at its outerend, forming a cushioned shoulder, a, which aids in preventing theracket slipping from the hand. The shoulder 04 also enables the user toobtain a firm grip upon the handle A. In the end of the sleeve B isseated a blOlCllig-lfflztlfl, C, having a countersunk aperture, (7, inline with the aperture D, formed in the end of the sleeve.

In the application of thein vention the sleeve B is slipped upon theshank end of the rackethandle A and there secured by means of anordinary screw passing through the apertures dD into the wood of whichthe handle is eon- 1 structed. The size of the sleeve 15 is such that itwill closely hug the surface of the handle A, and while the same isbeing inserted upon the handle the air within the sleeve will bepermitted to escape through the aperture D, the latter thus performingtwo functions, one

being to permit the sleeve to be placed close upon the handle withoutthe formation of an air-cushion in the end thereof, and the other beingto permit the sleeve to be secured upon the handle by means of a screwand the plate C. \Vhile the racket is in use there would naturally be atendency in the handle A to slip from the sleeve B; but any ill effectsfrom this are thoroughly overcome by the use of the plate C, whichextends laterally from the aperture D and serves as a backing for thesleeve. The sleeve B will be of sufficientlength to offer a suitablegripping-surface for the hand, and this surface being soft will preventthe handle from hurting the hand and render the same eon'ifortable inuse. The end of the rub ber sleeve is thicker than the cylindricalportion thereof and aiiords a body for the shoulder (1, which dispenseswith the necessity of employing the usual leathcror wooden shoul dercommonly found on the ends of the handles of tennis-rackets. The thickend of the rubber sleeve prevents the sleeve from cutting through andimparts durability to the article. The rubber cushion a on the end ofthe sleeve is especially desirable as atfording comfort to andpreventing the racket from slipping from the hand.

*hat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-

1. The sleeve B for the handle of tennisrackets, the said sleeveconsisting of the cylindrical portion having the thickened end adaptedto fit against the end of the handle and forming a body for thecushion-shoulder a, substantially as shown and described.

2. The sleeve B, of rubber or other soft ma terial, having an aperturedend, combined with the backing-plate C, also provided with an aperture,substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

Signed at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York,this 28th day of April, A. D. 1888.

ROBT. \YEBB MORGAN.

Vitnesses:

CHAS. C. GILL, HERMAN Gusrovv.

